The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-21
RBTREBCRMGNT THE IDEA
1T CONES At A LATE DAY AND
UNEXPECTEDLY.
An "Old Timer" Aboat the Court
house Joins the Ranks
OF RefJrmers.

"Rlpg or no ripg2" is query daily
propounded one to another by those
who find It either pleasant or profit
able-maybe bolh-io spend the valu'
able bours Of daylight within the
walls Of the mage courthouse. OF
course the gentlemen all protest
spainst the assertion that one really
exists, with two exceptions, namely:
John Brennan snd Deputy Sheriff
''Tom." The former ineists that he is
president OF the ring, while the latter
is secretary. But 10 grip the point:
In ststeidays Ledger appeared an
Interview sckDo wledgtd as coming
from zone who from bis long connec.
ton Herewith might be termed
What outsiders are pleased to call the
ing" Few chances would be taken
In putting finger on the "old vet
ersp," and saying: "You are the |
man who voiced the sentiments"
and many more such utterancea will
probably appear from day TO day be-
lore the next election. The "old vet
sran" opened up his crusade ~ iol-
lows:
sYou havs doubtless heard much
about the courthouse ring, have you
mott" -.
"well," said the man Of Fsber, ~
must confess ! have; bat what Of
that" =.
al have worked here q long time"
he went on, "sjd II any three MN
outside Of any ffice agreed on any ono
point, especially politics. I have n tvsr
iound 1t out. Every Office has its own
sIe 70 grind, and cares little for the
othera At every election they are d.
viIed each man having his preferences,
aud alter elections o<ten much hard
feeling prevails"
"wsll," said the scribe, sis this the
case nowT
more than ever In the history OF
the courthouse" he continued, "is
there less likelihood OF the existence
oia ring, and more especially since
the TaIirg District Offices we're re-
moved. S1rehesds are always discus
sing rings, either from ignorance or
malice, when their knowledge OF all
other subjects 10 exhausted, tnd II 10
indeed highly amusing to oil who
have business enough 10 know the
WAYS Of our ofiicials 10 read or hear
such prsttle." And thus delivering
himself lie bowed.
OF course he bowed. II Ia charac-
tefisuc Of the "old veteran" for he Is
one 81 the most pleasant and polite
companions one would love 10 meet
But the milk In the cocoanut was yet
TO be drawn out, aud the 20 d veteran
did not allow himself 10 eecape, but
tsrrisd In response 10 the gentle per.
suasion Of cotton thread, and Tsluc-
family obeyed the demand for more
neva
"Wsll" said be, / strolled into the
County Court yesterday morning, and
when l entered Justice Pat Winters
was making q strong talk In favor oil q
minority report Of his"
ITS nature 7" asked the terrible.
Prom what i could gather" raid
he, at was about . bill which Count,
Clerk Quigley had presented 10 th,
court, amounting to tl4b0 for copyin,
the assessment books. Nos 90 I hap
pan 10 know something about thl
matter. I think the Justice was right
i have seen many OF the boys In ant
around here copying the same books
for CLERK Quisley ut 70 cents q page
which would make the total cost OF all
the books about $3.50. Here then Il
the County Court voting away $1,000 Of
the peoples money when they might
have had II done for $3.50"
THE majority report stated that
the assessment was larger aud that
Cullen had received more.
But" said he, "Cullen was q very
competent man and did the work him
sell, and II the assessment was large,
II 10 tie assessor who should get more
and not the clerk, whose duty Ia sim.
ply 10 copy their books and certify tC
same. The Office pays already enor
nous ieee, probably more than aoy
other two 10 the building, and should
be reduced"
The "0ld Vet" speaks with striking
familiarity, and an analysis OF IN,
vote on that minority report show
couclusively that he IL the only one
about the Courthouse who can, AMI
further, that he was expected 4
stool into the County Court" Tn,
interview closes a. follows: "Wiih Z
dtep look Of anxiety Ia his eyes h,
begged the scribe 10 Withhold hi
name, For. said he, Il may want ar
office myself soon, and / have ONLY
expressed the feelings Of the boy
about the matter, who having don,
the work and fee. outraged at the way
they have been trt ated.' The scrib,
promised 10 keep his secret, provided
he would al an early opportunity civ,
him more "reminiscences OF the court
house, which he promised, and de
parted"
Now this shows q marvellous chang,
oil sentiment a. TO economy IN IN,
County Court clerks Office. Ecoaem,
ssgreat thing and comes better lat
than never. As long ago a. 1870, q
tie records OF that Office ihox, IN,
. clerk was paid t4400 for this woi X
on the recommendation Of W. II. Glis
sou, p. NJ. Waters and William II
Walker. Ia 1871 the same clerk re
ceiyed $500, with William wallac
and ]. W. Allen az the committee
Justice Winters voted afiirmatively
In 1873, 5000 and no minority; 1878
5000, al right; 1874, $500, yet n
kick. Itcan hardly be disputed tina
the work ta been largely incre se,
since that period. Az TO whether III
sums paid out In the zoe was 10
much, or that asked Tor In the minor
lily report Tuesday, Ia left for the "o
veteran" aud the public. Retrench
ment IL a great thing, however, whe
coupled with conaistenoe.